Add to that properties with temporary tax breaks given to encourage development.

Add to that more than 3,000 smaller plots throughout the city that are vacant or delinquent on their taxes.

"This is characteristic of the type of problem the city has in collecting property taxes," says Common Councilor Khalid Bey, chair of the council's economic development committee.

"Essential fairness"

The relatively small amount of land left for the city to tax has left Syracuse struggling to pay the bills. City Hall is now trying to come up with new ways to generate revenue, including negotiating "service agreements" with the city's larger nonprofits.

"I think it's just in recognition of the essential fairness of paying for the services you receive," says Common Councilor Pat Hogan.

Hogan argues that city services - like fire and police protection, snow plowing on city streets, etc. - are used by the employees of Syracuse's colleges and hospitals. Hogan says the nonprofits should therefore help pay for those services.

But the half-million-dollar payment pales in comparison to what the school would pay if its land holdings were fully taxable.

According to the city's assessment office, SU would have to pay roughly $24 million a year for its $624 million in property.

Getting other nonprofits to offer token payment may be even more difficult.

Mayor Miner met with officials at Upstate Hospital earlier this week but didn't get very far. Since Upstate is a state entity, it legally can't enter into such an agreement, according to hospital spokesman Dan Hurley.

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The Innovation Trail is a collaboration
between Six upstate New York public media outlets, led by WXXI, along with
WBFO/WNED, WRVO, WSKG, WMHT and North Country Public Radio. The initiative, funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), will help the public gain a better understanding of the connection between technological breakthroughs and the revitalization of upstate New York's economy. Reports will focus on research, development, education, funding, and policy issues around emerging fields like energy, information technology, biotech, nanotech, and photonics.